Book reviews & bookish goodness from a Children's Librarian in Canada

Tag: canadian lit

Dr. Jo: How Sara Josephine Baker Saved the Lives of America’s Children by Monica Kulling, with illustrations by Julianna Swaney Source: Hardcopy courtesy of Tundra Books/Penguin Random House Canada. Thank you! Publication: October 9, 2018 by Tundra Books Book Description: Sara Josephine Baker was a strong girl who loved adventure. Growing up in New York in the late 1800s was […]

Welcome to another round-up of recently read and recommended picture books- with one early reader in the mix! In no particular order, here are the titles: let’s start with the unbearably gorgeous and mesmerizing The Stuff of Stars by Marion Dane Bauer, illustrated by Ekua Holmes, a poetic, vital and incredible story that follows time before the Big Bang all […]

Hello to 2019 and hello to you lovely readers! I hope that all who celebrate Christmas had a good and as relaxing as possible celebration, and everyone enjoyed their break and New Year! To start 2019 off, I am presenting a post featuring recently read and recommended children’s non-fiction titles. Now, just a note that your library may catalogue some […]

Review: French Exit by Patrick deWitt Source: Hardcopy courtesy of House of Anansi Press. Thank you! Publication: August 28, 2018 by House of Anansi Press (paperback) Book Description: Frances Price — tart widow, possessive mother, and Upper East Side force of nature — is in dire straits, beset by scandal and impending bankruptcy. Her adult son Malcolm is no help, […]

In the last few months, I’ve had the pleasure of reading a handful of young adult and children’s graphic novels. Here is a rundown of those titles, featuring the latest from Faith Erin Hicks, a standout from Benjamin Renner, as well as a look at cartoonist and illustrator’s Liz Climo’s latest collection! The Divided Earth (The Nameless City #3) by […]

Review: Clara Voyant by Rachelle Delaney Source: Hardcopy courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada. Thank you! Publication: May 15, 2018 by Puffin Canada/Penguin Random House Canada Book Description: A wannabe journalist and reluctant astrologer turns out to be clairvoyant in this charming middle-grade coming-of-age novel; for fans of Rebecca Stead’s novels. Clara can’t believe her no-nonsense grandmother has just up […]

Marianne Dubuc, the acclaimed Canadian author and illustrator behind picture books like Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds and The Lion and the Bird, brings readers Up the Mountain Path. Radiating kindness and sweet humour, Up the Mountain Path tells the story about Mrs. Badger and what happens after she meets a new friend while going about her usual Sunday walk “to the […]

Welcome to one of the stops on the Thomas Allen & Son blog tour for You Are the Everything, a new young adult novel from award-winning Canadian author Karen Rivers. Please read on for my thoughts, a very special guest post from Karen herself, as well as link to a tour-wide giveaway for Canadian residents. I’ll put up the blog […]

Welcome to another round-up of recently read and recommended picture books! In no particular order, here are the titles: the supremely adorable and charming The Doll Hospital by Kallie George, illustrated by Sara Gillingham (my daughter has been loving this one and clamoring for re-reads); the energetic and fun koala-centered story Don’t call me bear! by Aaron Blabey; the out-of-the-ordinary, […]

I have had the great pleasure to pore over some seriously lovely and moving picture books as of late… (I cannot even imagine how mammoth my year-end picture book list is going to be!). Here are two beautiful recently read (and Canadian authored and illustrated!) picture books courtesy of Groundwood Books: Deep Underwater by Irene Luxbacher and Grandmother’s Visit by […]